Acetylene-generating apparatus.



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H. W. JACOBS & H. H. LANNING. AGETYLBNB GBNBRATING APPARATUS.APPLICATION FILED DEG. '7, .1911.

1,050,1 39, Patented 1311.111913.

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@@Mmqgs H. W. JACOBS & H. H. LANNING.

AGETYLBNE GENERATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. '7, 1911.

1,050, 1 39. Patented Jan. 14, 1913.

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H. W. JACOBS & H. H. LANNING.

AGETYLBNE GENERATING APPARATUS.

A APPLICATION FILED DHC. 7, 1911. 1,050, 1 39, Patented M1414, 1913.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT FFTCE.

HENRY W. JACOBS AND HOWARD H. LANNING, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

ACETYLENE-GENERATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1913.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, HENRY `W. JACOBS and HOWARD H. LANNING, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee andState of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements inAcetylene-Generating Apparatus, of which the following is a descripftion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of our specification.

The invention relates more particularly to apparatus wherein acetyleneis generated from calcium carbid through the action of feeding water tothe calcium carbid.

The object of the invention is the production of a single or unitarystructure suitable for portable or stationary generators, wherein thegeneration of acetylene will be automatically controlled by the rate ofconsumption of the acetylene, so that the gas will be delivered at aconstant predetermined pressure under all conditions of service. Theoperation of the apparatus is such that the quantity of gas stored upwithin the apparatus, in order to provide for a continuous flow equalunder all conditions of service, will be reduced to the minimum.

A further object of the invention is the production of apparatus whoseoperation will be absolutely continuous, and which is so constructedthat escape of an undue amount of acetylene, as well as the introductionof an undue amount of air into the apparatus, will be prevented duringthe removal of the spent carbid and the renewal of the charges.

Another object of the invention is the production of apparatus whereinit will be impossible to confine acetylene within any part thereof undermore than normal pressure; and wherein the generation will beautomatically controlled; thus eliminating mechanical regulatingdevices, except in places where the use of such devices would insuregreater safety and reliability, but where their failure to act properlywould in no way affect. the safety of the apparatus.

The various advantages, together with other advantages inherent in thedevice, will be more readily understood from the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a frontelevation of the apparatus with a portion of the side wall Vof the tankshown broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the position ofthe discharge conduit or pipe. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectionalview taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of thearrows. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4 4 ofFig. 3, of the lower portion of the apparatus, and looking in thedirection of the arrow.

In the exempliication of the invention as disclosed in the drawings, theapparatus comprises a tank 5 of suitable construction, which is dividedinto several compartments by the partition 6. This partition is providedwith a central opening in which is secured the downwardly extendingconduit 7 provided at its lower end with the hood shaped member 8, seeFigs. L and 4. The hood shaped member 8 is preferably made of a size toextend almost up to the side walls of the tank 5, as clearly shown inthe drawings. The lower part of the tank 5 is made of a convenientshape, preferably rectangular as shown at 5a, so as to provide for thegenerating cells, hereinafter to be described. The upper part of thetank 5 constitutes a wat-er supply compartment 9, while the portionbeneath partition 6 constitutes the gas-receiving chamber or gasometer10.

The lower part 5 of the vessel is provided wit-h the generatingcells,-of which any sufficient number may be employed, the. drawings forillustration showing three cells,-which consist preferably of thecylindrical shaped vessel 11, which is suitably supported within thetank so as to leave sutlicient space beneath the bottom thereof, asclearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with one end of the vessel protrudingout of the casing 5a. This end Vof the cell is preferably provided withthe metallic flange or member 11a, which is intended to provide a seatfor the cover 12. Pivotally secured to the portion 11l is a yoke 13, so.formed and secured to the cell that it may be swung to either side inorder to clear the cover and permit of its removal as well as thecontents of the cell. Extending centrally through the yoke 13 is apressure applying device or screw member 14, the threads thereof meshwith threads in the cent-ral opening in the yoke, while the inner end ofmember 14 is preferably shown as entering a socket in the center of thecover 12. The

cover and the pressure applying mechanism are intended to provide agas-tight closure for the cell; if desired, the inner side of the covermay be provided wit-h a gasket at the point where it engages the end ofthe cell.. Each cell is provided with a calcium carbid-receiving tray ordrawer 15, whose shape is preferably made to conform with the insidecontour of the cell. The upper part of the tray or drawer is so formedas to leave a passage between the upper part of the tray and the wall ofthe cell, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4:.

The trays or drawers 15 are preferably divided into compartments whichhave communication with each other only at the top by means of a notchor cut-out portion, as shown in Fig. l at 16, provided in the upper partof the intermediate vertically extend ing partit-ions 17.

Leading from various points in the gas receiving chamber or gasometer l0are water conveying or feed pipes 18 and 18a, see Fig. 3, whereby wateris conveyed to the front and rear ends, respectively, of the generatingcell 11.

It is understood, of course, that where a number of generating cells areemployed, an additional number of water conveying pipes must be had,which are preferably arranged in the manner justdescribed, that is, thepipes lead preferably to both ends of the cells. For example, thedrawings show an apparatus provided with three generating cells, withpipe 1S leading to the front of the center cell, pipe 18UL leading tothe rear of said cell, pipe 19 leading to the front of an adjacent cell,pipe 19ZL leading to the rear part of said cell, and pipe Q0 leading tothe front of the third cell, with pipe 20 leading to the rear part ofsaid cell.

As clearly shown in the drawings, Figs. l and 8, the pipes connect withthe gas-receiving chamber at points occupying different horizontalplanes. Each water-conveying pipe is provided with a suitable valve, asat- 21, so that flow of water therethrough may be shut. olf whendesired.

The generating cells are each provided with a gas-conveying pipe orconduit- 2Q which is preferably made to extend up above the water levelin the tank 5, over the top thereof and down inside the tank to a pointnear the bottom of the gas-receiving chamber, as clearly shown in Figs.3 and l. The lower end of each pipe 22 in the gas-receiving chamber' 10is provided with a perforated inverted funnel shaped member 22a. A.gas-tight connection is, of course, preferably formed between the pipes22 and the partition 6 in the tank, so that gaswill not be permitted toescape int-o the upper compartment at this point.

Leading from a point near the bottom of the gas-receiving chamber 10 isa pipe 23 whose upper end is provided with a cham ber or enlargement23a, see Fig. 3, from which chamber pipe 24e extends to any suitablepoint in the atmosphere. The lower end of pipe is shown provided with acup or vessel 25, whose upper edge is somewhat above the lower oriliceof pipe Q8, as clearly shown, so as to provide a water seal for pipe Q3,whereby the gas, under normal conditions, will be prevented fromescaping up through pipe 23 and outthrough pipe 9A.

The lower part CL of the tank may be provided at a suitable point with acock as at 2G, see Figs. 2 and f3, whereby all the water in the tank 5may be discharged when it is desired to clean the tank.

rlhe upper part of the tank 5 is provided with a water supply pipe 27which is conf trolled by the ball valve Q8; and at a suitable point inthe upper part of the tank, an overflow pipe 29 is provided, so as toprevent water overflowing the top of the tank.

At a suitable point, leading from the upper part of the gasereceivingchamber l0, is a discharge pipe il() provided with a suitable valve, asat 31. ln Fig. 1 this discharge pipe is shown extending out through theside of tank 5 at a point above the horirontal partition G, whichpartit-ion is shown provided with an opening into which the end ofdischarge pipe 30 is secured. The pipe 30 is intended to convey theacetylene to the point of consumption.

The operation of the apparatus is as fol lows: later is permitted toenter through the supply pipe 27 into the water supply compartment 9,from whence it will flow down through the conduit 7 into the lower partof the tank where it will sulnnerge the generating cells 1l and risewithin the gasreceiving chamber or gasomter 10. As the water rises inchamber 10 .it will be brought to the points where the water-supplypipes for the respective generating cells communicate with chamber 10;that is, the water will lirst reach a level where it will flow throughthe pipe whose connection with the gasometer is at the lowest horizontalplane; for example, in Fig. 3, the water will. lirst ent-er pipe 18?Land be discharged into the rear part of generating cell 11; it beingunderstood, of course, that the valves 21 in the different feed pipeshave first been opened. As soon as the water is discharged into the cellit is evident that generation will take place in the last compartment oftray 15 and the generated gas will flow upward through pipe 22 and beliberated in bubbles through member 22a in the lower part of thegas-receiving chamber' or gasometer 10. rlhe liberated gas is compelledto rise through the water in chamber 1() and be cleansed thereby. As thequantity of gas accumula tes in the upper part of chamber 10, pressurewill be exerted on the water in this chamber until the accumulated gashas been consumed. As soon as the water in the last compartment of thetray rises to the top of the partition 17, it will. be permitted to flowthrough the notch 16 into the adjacent compartment and induce generationof gas in said compartment. If the water continues to rise in thegas-receiving chamber 10 it is evident that water will successively flowthrough the different pipes leading from said chamber to the differentcells or parts of the cells, so that by the time the water has reached apoint in proximity to the top of the chamber or gasometer 10, water willbe discharging into all of the cells and at both ends thereof, therebyinducing generation in all the cells. The gas generated in the differentcells will be conducted therefrom through the pipes 22 to the bottom ofthe gas-chamber or gasometer l0. The accumulation of the gas in theupper part of chamber 10 will, as previously stated, displace the waterin the chamber and force it to return through the conduit 7 to the uppercompartment 9. As thewater recedes in the gasometer, by reason of thegas accumulating therein, the water will successively reach levels belowthe .points of connection between the gasometer and the different feedpipes leading to the generating cells. lVith the water supply thussuccessively cut oli' from the various generating cells, it is evidentthat generation of acetylene will also be gradually diminished.

It is evident from the construction shown and described, that if theconsumption of gas is less than the amount of generation, the chamber 10will become so filled with gas that the water will be displaced to apoint beneath the lowest connection, thus automatically stoppingentirely the feeding of water to the cells and hence preventinggeneration of acetylene.

In the event that the generation of acetylene is beyond the capacity ofthe gasometer, the water will be forced out of the gasometer and upthrough the conduit 7 until the level of the water in the chamber lOreaches the trap or seal 25 at the lower end of blow-off pipe 23; thepressure of the gas will then cause the water seal in vessel to becomebroken and allow the excess gas to escape from the gas chamber l0through blow-off pipe Q3. Any water that may be carried out through pipe23 with the gas will be trapped in chamber 23a and be allowed to flowbach into the gas chamber 10 as soon as the pressure of the escaping gasdiminishes. llhen a suiiicient quantity of gas has been blown off toreduce the pressure within the gasometer or chamber l0, it is evidentthat water will again begin to tlow into the chamber l0 until its levelis above the top of vessel or seal 25 and thereby automatically restorethe water seal and prevent the further escape of gas. As the gascontained in chamber l0 is drawn oft through pipe 30 and consumed, thewater level in chamber l0 gradually rises, and as the orifices of thefeed pipes leading therefrom are successively submerged, a resumption ofgeneration of acetylene is again automatically brought about in therespective generating cells ll.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing description that merelythe requisite number of generating cells, or the requisite number ofcompartments in any one cell necessary to supply the amount of acetylenerequired will be brought into operation; that is, if the gas generatedby one cell, or by one compartment of a cell, is suiiicient to meet thedemands, the water level in the gas chamber l() will n ot rise above thelowest pipe, or set of pipes, as the case may be, leading from the gaschamber, but will remain stationary at this point until all the carbidin the cell, or in the compartment or compartments of one or two cellsfed by the lowest set of pipes, has become exhausted, or until the rateof consumption of the gas increases to such an extent that said cell, orone or two compartments of one or more cells, cannot meet the demand.When this situation arises, the decreased pressure of gas in t-hegasometer on the water will allow the water to rise to a higher level,causing the water to How through an additional feed pipe or set ofpipes, whereby generation in one or more cells will be induced as may berequired to supply the demand. It is perfectly apparent, therefore, thatthe operation and control of the generating apparatus is entirelyautomatic, and the generation is automatically adjusted to suit the rateof consumption within the limits of the capacity of the apparatus. Ifthe volume of water displaced by the accumulated acetylene in the gaschamber l0 induces a supply in chamber 9 beyond its capacity, the excesswater will be allowed to discharge through over-flow pipe 29, and therising water will compel valve 28 to shut olf supply pipe 27. As thewater supplied from chamber 9 also submerges the generating cells in thelower part of the apparatus and acts as cooling water for the cells, thelower part of the conduit 7 is provided with the hood shaped member 8for the purpose of directing most of the warmed water which will risefrom around the cells and compel it to How upward through conduit 7 intowater supply compartmentI 9, instead of allowing the warmed or heatedwater to accumulate in the upper part of gas-receiving chamber l0beneath the body of gas stored therein.

As the calcium carbid in any one or more of the generating cells becomesconsumed or spent, said cell or cells can be replenished llO without inany way interfering with the operation ot the apparatus, because thecells are all independent ot each other, being separately connected withthe gas-receiving chamber l0. Then it is desired to replenish the carbidin a cell, the valves 2l in the feed pipes leading from thegas-receiving chamber to said cell, are iirst closed so as to shut oit atlow of water therethrough, after which the cover l2 ot said cell may beopened by releasing pressure mechanism 1.4L suthciently to permit theyoke 13 to be swung to one side out of the way. This will permit thetray 15 of the cell to be withdrawn, the spent carbid removed therefromand a fresh supply et calcium carbid placed in the dii"-`terentcompartments of the tray. The tray may then be reinserted in itscell, the cover .firmly clamped in place, and the valves 2l in therespective feed pipes of said cell opened, whereby the cell will beplaced in condition for generation as soon as it is automaticallybrought into play in the manner previously described.

lllhen it is desired to clean out the apparatus, the valve or cock 26 inthe bottom of the apparatus is opened, allowing all the water to escape`trom the entire tank 5, it being understood, oit course, that inletvalve in pipe 27 has first. been shut ott.

It is apparent from the construction shown and described, that thecapacity oit the apparatus may be increased or diminished without thenecessity ot altering the upper portion of the tanlr 5, as generatingcells oit dill'erent capacities may be used interchangeably, and thegenerator units may either be increased or diminished to suit thedemands and requirements. For example, the saine result can be acquiredby either increasing or decreasing the number ot generator units orcells, or by increasing or decreasing the size of the generating cellsand their calcium carbid-retaining trays. `When the number oitgenerating cells is either increased or decreased, it will beunderstood, ot course, that the number of feedwater pipes leading tromthe chamber must be either increased or decreased, respectively; itbeing understood also that the pipes should be arranged so as to connectwith the gasometer at points occupying dititerent horizontal planes,whereby they will become effective with different levels ot water ingas-receiving chamber 10, as has been previously described.

By liberating the generated gas in the bottom ot the gas-receivingchamber or gasometer l0,hwhich chamber under normal conditions is moreor less iilled with water,-it will be compelled to rise upward throughthe water to the upper part of the chamber; the passing of the gasthrough the wat-er will necessarily clean it and compel any solids orimpurities to remain in the incense water. The flow oi' gas from the gaschamber l0 is, ot course, controlled by the valve 3l in discharge pipe30.

lNhere the gas is to be led to or consumed at a point beneath the levelof the gas-re ceiving chamber, the discharge pipe 3() may be providedwith a trap or chamber similar to chamber 23a in blow-oli pipe Q3, sothat any water that may tend to pass out ot the chamber with the gaswill be collected in the trap and the gas be permitted to flow to thepoint or' consumption.

The constructimi shown and described sets forth the invention in itssimplest form, but it is apparent that a number of changes may Abe madein certain elements without departing from the spirit ot the invention,and we do not wish to be understood, therefore, as limiting ourselves tothe exact construction shown and described, but

What we claim as our invention and wish io secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. Au apparatus oit the class described, comprising a single tankprovided with a water cl amber and a receiving chamber havingcommunication with each other, one or more calcium carbid receivingcells mounted in the lower part ot said tank, a series ot pipes leadingfrom the gas receiving chamber to the cells for conveying water trom the:tormer to the latter, said pipes being arranged in pairs with one pipeleading to the front end of a cell and the other pipe leading to therear part of a cell, the connections between the pipes oi' a pair andsaid gas receiving chamber being in different horizontal planes so thatgeneration 0f gas at ditlerent points may be induced, and means forconveying the generated gas from the cells to said. gas receivinglchamber, said means being arranged to liberate the gas beneath the normal water level in said chamber.

2. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a single tankprovided with a partition whereby the interior is divided into a, watersupply chamber and a gas receiving chamber. a conduitextending from thewater supply chamber into the lower part ot the receiving chamber forthe purpose oit delivering water from the water chamberl into the gasreceiving chamber, one or more calcium carbid receiving cells mounted inthe lower part of the gas receiving chamber so as to be surrounded bythe water in said chamber, means interniediate of the gas receivingchamber and said cells whereby water is conveyed from said chamber todivider-ent points in the cells, the relation between the means and saidchamber being such that the pressure of the gas in the chamber willcontrol the tlow of water through said means, means whereby thegenerated gas conveyed from the cells into the gas receiving chamber ata point beneath the normal water level therein, said means being soarranged that the flow of water from the gas receiving chamber to thecells is automatically prevented, and means whereby the water heated bythe generating cells is directed through said conduit into the watersupply chamber.

3. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a single tankprovided with a gas receiving chamber and a water chamber, means wherebythe water is allowed to flow from the water chamber into the gasreceiving chamber, one or more calcium carbid receiving cells arrangedin the lower part ot' said tank so as to be submerged by the watersupply therein, a series of conduits whereby water is conveyed from thegas receiving chamber' to the cells, said conduits being arranged inpairs and adapted to convey-water to different points in said cellswhereby generation of gas at diiferent points in the cells may beinduced, and means whereby the generated gas is conveyed from the cellsto the bottom of the gas receiving chamber, said means being so arrangedthat the tlow of water from the gas receiving chamber to the cells isautomatically prevented.

4. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a single tankprovided with a water chamber and a gas receiving chamber, a conduitextending from the water chamber into the lower part of the gasreceiving chamber for the purpose of delivering water from the former tothe latter, one or more calcium carbid receiving cells mounted in thelower part of the gas receiving chamber so as to be surrounded by thewater in said chamber, means intermediate of the gas receiving chamberand the cells whereby water is conveyed from said chamber to diierentpoints in the cells, the relation between the means and said chamberbeing such that the pressure of the gas in the chamber will control theflow of water through said means, means whereby the generated gas isconveyed from the cells into the gas receiving chamber and so arrangedthat tlow of water therethrough to the cells is automatically prevented,means whereby the water heated by the generating cells is directed intothe water chamber, and blow-ott means provided with an upwardly directedorifice at the lower end thereof whereby excess gas will be dischargedfrom said chamber at a level sufficiently above the water in saidchamber and prevent the mingling of water with the gas passing throughsaid means. HENRY W. JACQBS. HOWARD H. LANNING. l/Vitnesses:

FRANK MITCHELL, DAVID H. OWEN.

Copies of this patent may ne obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

